Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-03-09
ON, lsxlS, to be used by the county

Lie HallWay Is WalDScOLteQ win
yellow pine, four feet high, surmount-
ed with walnut caps.
Leaving this story, we will make the
second ascent, by way of an easy stair
way, five feet wide, protected Ply a
heavy hand made balustrade of hard
pine and black walnut, set on heavy
posts.
The landing on the north brings us
to the main entrance of the court
room, protected by high double doors,
swung on noiseless hinges. On the left
of this entrance is the room for the
district judge, and on the right COM
modious jury room. Leading from
this entrance are steps to the dome
and observatory where We have al
ready taken the reader.
Entering the court room, and may be
seen light and elegantly furnished
room, 36x4S feet, with 20-foot ceiling,
four windows on the east and four on
the west. The bar is cut off from the
main room by an oak balustrade. The
judges stand is raised platform in
the east, with witness stand and jury
box to his right, the latter enclosed by
an oak balustrade. On the left of the
judge is the clerks desk, an immense
affair on rollers, which will contain all
the records and books necessary for
any one term of court. This can be
pushed into the clerks Office, adjoining
the court room, when court is over,
without handling the books or papers.
The ceiling to the court room Is Or
namented by a handsome design Of
plaster cornice with two large round
center pieces.
The district clerks Office is south
east of the court room. 1t is not sup
piled with vault for the books and
records, and this we think is the only
defect in the building. The records
of the district court are more import
ant than any other records, except it
be those of the registers office. The
commissioners should not hesitate now
to provide safe place for the books
and papers of the district court.
Opening into the court room on the
south is another wide passage way,
leading to the steps to the floor below,
as in front. An exit or entrance may
be made from either the north or south
side of the room. Adjoining the
southwest corner of the court room, is
another jury room, well lighted and
ventilated.
The court room will comfortably seat
1S5 persons outside of the bar railing,
and in case of an emergency 500 people
can be comfortable in hearing of the
judges stand.
Over each window of the court room,
and over the main door ways, are broad
and deep transoms of cathedral glass,
of beautiful coiors.
All of the window frames, sash, doors
and stairways of the building, were
made by hand in this city, the con-
tractor prefering to have as much of
the work done by home mechanics as
possible.
AS stated the contractor for the
building was c. T. Freeman, of this
city. BE took the contract for all of
the work from foundation to dome,
with the exception of the steel cells
and vault doors. He has devoted his
personal attention to every detail,
from the digging of the foundation to
the painting of the dome. He worked
from plans selected by the county COM
missioners; but made many valuable
Improvements as the work progressed.
The building as completed is credit
to his judgement and skill as an archi-
tect and builder, and is lasting mon
ument to the enterprise of the county.
County Commissioner w. w. Cook
was designated by the commissioners
as special superintendent, and scarcely
a day has passed since the structure
was commenced that he did not give it
his personal attention. To the sug-
gestions of Mr.. Cook may be attrib-
uted many of the conyeniences in the
building. And to him should be
awarded much of the credit for keep
ing the cost of the building within the
limit allowed by law. lie was ably Sec
onded by Commissioners Douglass and
McGrath and by Commissioner Flem-
ing since the latter came into Office.
The stone-work of the building was
done by men employed by Mr.. Freeman
by the day. The stone all came from
Cowley county.
The brick-work was sub-let to WEIGH
u Macy, who not only furnished a SUI
perior article of brick, but who put up
the walls in workman-like manner.
This firm is now Macy & Tiff.
The carpenter-work was done by Mr..
Freeman's force, with John NJ. Bundy
as foreman. A. l.. Freeman and
Frank Barnhart did all of the stair
work, and Henry Schatt made the ell
egant aud substantial doors.
The p)astering was done by Dryden
s. Sons, of Cherryvale.
The painting was principally done
by Ira Z. Cole.
The hardware was furnished by Nor
MS Bros, of this city, and the same
firm did the tin roofing, bod. Bonner
being superintendent.
So far as we can learn, no part of the
building has been sighted in construc-
ton. 1t Is first-class throughout,
modern in all appointments, beautiful
both inside and outside, and serviceable
in every particular.
The grounds surrounding the court
house are not yet fully graded: but
will be soon.
All water from the building is car
ried off in pipes which lead into a
main sewer which runs east on Kansas
avenue, nearly to Spring creek. This